Off-topic isn’t nearly as entertaining as it used to be. Maybe wiping it clean and starting it from scratch would be a fun exploration of dynamics.
The DC Universe did that in 1985. It’s been a largely incoherent mess ever since.
It still has […] HansiG!
Is that a good thing? 😉
THATS THE JOKE
Maybe we just need to enforce the rules a little more? Personal attacks, excessive profanity, etc. are all against the rules, so a few violations of them should get people banned. Even in Off Topic, though perhaps a little more leeway could be granted here, especially as regards profanity. Personal attacks just aren’t cool in general, but people seem to get away with them all the time, simply because they’re in Off Topic, or they’re only borderline offensive.
EDIT: And by “we”, I guess I mean SilverWook… 😛
I am not the only mod, and I don’t see everything that goes on around here, believe it or not.
Where were you in '77?
I just realized that my post might sound critical of you, so sorry if it came across that way…
You may not be the only mod, but you’re the only one who’s really active, as far as I can tell. I should probably use the “report” button more often, though… I guess sometimes I subconsciously assume that the mods are aware of everything that’s going on.
Regardless, that still doesn’t solve the problem of Off Topic being entirely unmoderated. It used to be just fine, but we keep getting trolls and other idiots popping by and abusing that freedom.
Regardless, that still doesn’t solve the problem of Off Topic being entirely unmoderated. It used to be just fine, but we keep getting trolls and other idiots popping by and abusing that freedom.
I hope you aren’t referring to Wario64, my all time favorite forum member!
The Person in Question
I guess it comes down to this, do you guys want moderation in off topic?
Where were you in '77?
If it prevents the jerkasses like Darth Id from abusing their privileges, then I say yes.
It’s because there’s very little silliness or creativity anymore. Most of those posters are long gone. It’s mostly complaining and the same old movie discussions now.
Hey I’m sillier than beef on a cheesecake.
I vote no for moderation…I actually prefer the occasional troll. Consider how nicely it allows members to close ranks. Without the occasional touch of outside cajoling this forum tends to atrophy somewhat…
Besides the fact that we cannot all agree on who is and who is not a troll. Some of the styles of humor on display can easily be misunderstood as trollish to the uninitiated. I would tend to gravitate away from a forum with too little diversity as I was once a member of such a board in which a similar purge took place. The end result was a group of us all in agreement about everything…which naturally led to nearly no real discussion. Within a few months activity had for all intents and purposes ceased.
What I would suggest is that we treat our trolls with an appropriate level of patience…that we not necessarily harass them (as has been a common activity), but that we attempt to engage them in patient dialogue…I have seen many a troll talked into more mature behavior once they lose their defensive edginess. Quite often a troll is merely someone with something of a fragile ego. Instead of allowing themselves to be vulnerable to potential rejection they seek out said rejection directly. Once they have been able to confirm their worst fears they pursue a course of destruction.
It is somewhat akin to a saboteur. One who is welcomed into gainful employment is rarely prepared to purposefully destroy the machinery of his/her successful occupation…yet the attitude may be sharply contrasted with one who may feel they are perpetually on the outside looking in. Such an individual merely uses destruction as a means of attracting attention rather than using meaningful discussion to accomplish the same task.
A careful reading of many a troll’s initial posts on this forum tends to show a pattern of hesitant attempts at discussion, followed by a misunderstanding, followed by increasing insults, followed by outright trollishness…rarely have I witnessed an individual who has been shown true concern and compassion on a forum turn into a troll unless it was their original intent, but often I have seen individuals who feel themselves to have been slighted or hurt to have lashed out in a persistent troll-like fashion.
I was once…but now I’m not… Further: zyzzogeton
“It wasn’t the flood that destroyed the pantry…”
I guess it comes down to this, do you guys want moderation in off topic?
Absolutely not.
You may not be the only mod, but you’re the only one who’s really active, as far as I can tell. I should probably use the “report” button more often, though… I guess sometimes I subconsciously assume that the mods are aware of everything that’s going on.
I know for a fact that Anchorhead is active from a moderation standpoint, even if he isn’t posting. And Zion may be doing things behind the scenes that we have zero knowledge of. And there may be more that we don’t even know about.
Also, I recently learned the report button only sends a notice to Jay, so you’re better off sending a PM to Wook or Anchor.
The only moderation I want in Off Topic is the banning of Darth Id.
The Person in Question
I still would prefer more general chat sections.
If there was a totally un-moderated silly fun section and a serious discussion zone (with light moderation, total ban on profanity, insults etc) I think most of the flare ups we see here wouldn’t happen.
The personal problems sections are really useful and for the most part people are respectful there.
No moderation on highly contentious topics is inviting tension. I never said I would stop reading off topic. I started posting here again because people were posting about very deep depression and suicidal thoughts etc and it felt wrong not to add my sympathy to the rest of the people posting here. Once I did that it seemed a bit daft not to voice my opinions of the rating of Terminator movies etc. But I was very nervous about doing so because when I read certain opinions that goad me I respond and get very emotionally engaged in my responses and which generates similarly emotionally charged responses with people that my responses have upset. Life it too short.
Off-Topic as it currently exists doesn’t really work well anymore and hasn’t for years.
It seems daft to me to have a whole forum category devoted to General Chat with only one section called “Off Topic” in it. Surely general chat is off topic??
^Good points all around.
Eh. It’s just changing the window dressings.
After consideration, I vote against moderation. The only exception would be for frauds like Darth Id or Ghimli.
The Person in Question
I don’t think we need moderation in off-topic, but when someone’s being a complete dickhead, we shouldn’t be reluctant to report them
Prequel Fan-Edit thread: http://originaltrilogy.com/topic/Yet-another-series-of-prequel-edits/id/17329
After consideration, I vote against moderation. The only exception would be for frauds like Darth Id or Ghimli.
Yeah, I guess this is my stance, too.
I think it would be nice if there was at least 1 active mod in off-topic at any one given time. We have seasoned members that can be just as pig-headed as new ones who can antagonize others just as equally as well.
I know off-topic is what it is but it doesn’t mean anyone should be allowed to be devoid of manners and respect if they expect the same in return.
😃
Good luck with that.
I rest my case.
😉
I’m a realist.
We can deal with rude people, it’s just the revolting conmen that everyone hates that should be banned if necessary. Darth Id, or Ghimli for example…
The Person in Question
I’m a realist.
You’re also the best dead horse beater we have here too.
Sounds reasonable.